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Old 10-05-2009, 05:30 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Removing School Bus Letters

Just because I haven't seen another post on removing lettering on the side of a school bus, I thought I would provide my own 2-cents worth. I started out trying to scrape the letters off with a paint scraper. Eventually after much research I turned to a propane torch - and it works like a charm to remove that school bus information tattooed onto the side of a school bus.

so you know.

-the waste-not wagoneers
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Old 10-06-2009, 08:31 PM   #2
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Re: Removing School Bus Letters

I used a heat gun from walmart to pull letters and decals from our rescue truck at the fire station. It worked well and didn't hurt paint. Be advised you can't pull and heat at the same time. Hot as hell!!
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Old 10-07-2009, 02:25 AM   #3
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Re: Removing School Bus Letters

I have to ask, Were you using one of the Gloves on the pulling hand?
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Old 10-11-2009, 08:44 PM   #4
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Re: Removing School Bus Letters

For me,I did not use a glove because you can't grab hold of the letters very well. I just had to heat them up and time it right so not to heat my fingers up when I pulled! lol
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Old 10-11-2009, 10:13 PM   #5
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Re: Removing School Bus Letters

Should have used a glove. Those things are rated for High Temp after all. And don't you just requisition a new set when you have too?
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Old 03-08-2014, 05:31 PM   #6
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Re: Removing School Bus Letters

Hey guys, I removed the letters with heat gun from Harbor freight tools, but there is adhesive left from the letters and tried all kinds of chemicals to remove but no luck, any ideas?

J
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Old 03-08-2014, 06:57 PM   #7
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Re: Removing School Bus Letters

Quote:
Originally Posted by juliol
Hey guys, I removed the letters with heat gun from Harbor freight tools, but there is adhesive left from the letters and tried all kinds of chemicals to remove but no luck, any ideas?

J
Spray it with wd 40 when it has some sunshine on it. I use it to remove adhesives from all kinds of stuff.

-Doc
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Old 03-08-2014, 07:05 PM   #8
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Re: Removing School Bus Letters

Quote:
Originally Posted by Docsgsxr
Quote:
Originally Posted by juliol
Hey guys, I removed the letters with heat gun from Harbor freight tools, but there is adhesive left from the letters and tried all kinds of chemicals to remove but no luck, any ideas?

J
Spray it with wd 40 when it has some sunshine on it. I use it to remove adhesives from all kinds of stuff.

-Doc

When combined with plenty of elbow grease.

Nat
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Old 03-09-2014, 02:49 PM   #9
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Re: Removing School Bus Letters

Heat gun for the heavy stuff, diesel after that. Comes off easy.
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Old 03-09-2014, 06:07 PM   #10
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Re: Removing School Bus Letters

I found the goop came off fairly well with paint thinner. Put some on a rag, wet the adhesive, wait a minute then scrub with the thinner soaked rag.
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Old 03-14-2014, 05:17 PM   #11
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Re: Removing School Bus Letters

Not sure if you have access to a hot water pressure washer.... But I know that the one I used when I worked at a rental company would take all the factory stickers off our equipment with NOOOOOOO problems. I know we use to rent a gas powered pressure hot water pressure washer that did ok.

I would think the wd40/hot sun and a scrapper would do most of it?
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Old 03-22-2014, 12:05 PM   #12
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Re: Removing School Bus Letters

I just used the GF's hair-dryer to weaken the adhesive bond then gently pulled the letters off. Any residue was removed using Contractors Solvent http://www.de-solv-it.com/all-produc...ctors-solvent/ which also works very well on stubborn silicone.
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Old 11-11-2014, 10:11 PM   #13
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Re: Removing School Bus Letters

I am removing my letters with a propane torch and a paint scrapper but the metal has "popped" out on me. I m nervous that I am hurting the metal. Also should Something so hot so close to the engine? There are some numbers just off the hood
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Old 04-30-2015, 08:46 PM   #14
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Heat gun totally worked

Thanks everyone for the discussion here. We used just a paint scraper for the letters and it worked fine...and then we noticed the reflective tape wrapped all the way around =more tedious but necessary work I kind of like that kind though. Definitely wanted that off so we attempted it with just a paint scraper, no go. Then moved to the sander, took a long time. Came on to the forum and within minutes I had my conclusion, Use my stinking heat gun I just ordered on Amazon for $20 for heating up steel before placing over removed windows, and for a didgeridoo project ;) So from all of the posts in a nutshell:

Paint scraper & Heat gun..if that doesn't work go to diesel/paint thinner...then sand the rough spots.

We did take some paint off with the the paint scraper and heat gun while removing letters/reflective tape/school bus stickers on rear and front, but I planned on sanding it and then covering with Corroseal to convert/prime any and all rust. Eventually we will wash and paint it.

Do you all recommend using paint thinner all over it or just using primer before painting the bus? I have seen both comments but not sure which is preferred and why. Thanks all for the awesome advice!
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Old 05-01-2015, 11:23 AM   #15
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this is how it is done Son.
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Old 05-01-2015, 11:13 PM   #16
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Now there is a man in desperate need of a heat gun.
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Old 05-03-2015, 11:49 PM   #17
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LMAO That is awesome. And probably way more efficient with time..although fire scares me lol
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